Donald Trump to give speech on crime and safety during New York visit – US politics live 14. August 2026 (14:27) President visiting police academy in Long Island as he looks to boost Republicans in battleground races ahead of November midtermsSign up for the Breaking News US emailTrump will be in Washington for closed-press meetings until he heads to New York, to deliver his remarks in Garden City at 3pm ET. We’ll bring you the latest as that gets under way.The United States wants Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to publicly condemn a siege imposed by Jewish settlers in a Palestinian village, US and Israeli officials said on Friday, as settlers pressured residents by pitching a new tent before Israeli soldiers arrived and it was taken down. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Almost 500 arrested on suspicion of starting wildfires in France this summer 14. August 2026 (14:18) More than 180 minors among those detained, as firefighters tackle blazes across Europe amid record-breaking heatwaveEurope heatwave – latest updatesAlmost 500 people have been arrested on suspicion of starting wildfires in France since the start of the summer, authorities have said, as firefighters in half a dozen European countries tackle ferocious blazes amid a record-breaking heatwave.With three out of five Europeans facing temperatures of at least 30C on Friday and about 150 million enduring 35C or more, France’s interior ministry said 474 people, including 183 minors, had been detained over wildfires in the country since 1 July. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Benjamin Netanyahu describes UK as ‘first Islamic republic to get a nuclear weapon’ 14. August 2026 (14:00) Israeli PM criticised by political rival for attacking an international ally and overseeing ‘horrific diplomatic failure’The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, called the UK “the Islamic republic of Britain” in a podcast interview, where he also described the country as the “first Islamic republic to get a nuclear weapon”.His comments, made during an interview for Israel’s army radio, played into a common far-right Islamophobic trope about Britain’s small Muslim population. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Digested week: Humid New York or London’s oven-blast heat? Tough one to call 14. August 2026 (13:44) Plus, heartbreakingly brilliant Cats: the Jellicle Ball, summer reads and Taylor Swift’s low-key weddingI’ve been in New York for two weeks, where the unthinkable has happened. Even for a city accustomed to extremes, it is so hot, so humid, so reminiscent of Mobile in Alabama, or Mumbai that, all over New York, people have been forced to break persona to talk about the weather. “Was it always like this?” (No.) “Can you believe this?” (No.) “Are you having a stroke?” (Possibly.) Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nolan Wells’ parents recount ordeal of son’s death at Atlanta convention 14. August 2026 (13:02) Ben Crump and Rev Al Sharpton, also present at National Association of Black Journalists, demanded ‘truth’ and ‘transparency’ in Wells’ caseOn Thursday morning, the parents of Nolan Wells, Christine Wells-Wonsley and Elmore Wonsley, along with Ben Crump, the civil rights attorney, and Rev Al Sharpton, the famed civil rights activist, spoke at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention in Atlanta. Wells was an 18-year-old college student who was found dead on 6 July after a boating trip with friends, and his death captured national attention.Wells went missing on 4 July and a photo of the teen, who was Black, and his three friends on the trip, who were white, went viral. Social media users have speculated that Wells’s disappearance, death and the perceived lack of urgency in the county’s investigation into what happened to the teen are because of his race. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US firms that kept DEI policies despite ‘go woke, go broke’ threats thrived 14. August 2026 (13:00) Exclusive: Companies that kept policies did just as well financially, even after Trump’s executive order, as those that didn’tConservative backlash was supposed to put an end to the diversity, inclusion and equity (DEI) movement as companies were warned “go woke, go broke”.In January 2025, Donald Trump delivered a death knell, ending DEI within the federal government with executive orders and threatening to target companies that still supported it. Companies including Google, Goldman Sachs, McDonald’s and Walmart that had embraced DEI years earlier fell into line and announced an end to their policies. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Luigi Mangione hearing fuels speculation of a guilty plea in federal case 14. August 2026 (12:00) Mangione also faces separate state trial over killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan, due to start on 8 SeptemberA hurriedly scheduled hearing for Luigi Mangione’s federal case in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson is set for later on Friday morning, fueling speculation that he might plead guilty in these proceedings.Mangione faces two stalking counts in his federal case, as well as murder and weapons charges in a separate New York state case. He has pleaded not guilty in both cases. Both the federal and state cases could lead to a life prison sentence. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
American missionary kidnapped in Niger freed after nine months 14. August 2026 (11:48) Kevin Rideout, who was abducted by unknown assailants in Niamey, said to be in good health and in care of US officialsAn American missionary who was kidnapped in Niger in October has been released, his organisation has said.Kevin Rideout “is in good health in the care of US officials” and would soon be reunited with his extended family, SIM International said in a statement. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Extensive’ devastation caused by major fire in England as 150 million in Europe to experience temperatures above 35C – Europe live 14. August 2026 (11:47) Fires also blaze in Croatia, Germany and France as extreme heat continues to grip Europe todayFour taken to hospital and homes damaged in West Midlands firesSpeaking in Omiš, Croatian PM Plenković said it was “one of the worst fires in recent years,” as he stressed the “what is most important is that there are no confirmed fatalities so far.”He thanked the local firefighters for their attempts to tackle the blaze, and pledged financial support to the communities affected by the fire. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Albanian ambassador attacks UK right wing for ‘unhinged’ fixation with 2022 migrant surge 14. August 2026 (11:29) Exclusive: Uran Ferizi says arrivals fell sharply after short-lived influx, but country continues to be stigmatisedThe number of Albanians who travelled to Britain in small boats four years ago remains the focus of “unhinged” and “hysterical” criticisms from rightwing politicians and the media, according to the country’s UK ambassador.Uran Ferizi said the influx of more than 12,000 people from the Balkan state in 2022 was “real”, “exceptional” and “short-lived”, but the Albanian community in the UK was still being framed by those events by Reform UK and the Daily Telegraph. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
